Washington Post: President Barack Obama … brought his family Towson University near Baltimore for an afternoon game that pitted the Towson Tigers against the Oregon State Beavers. Obama’s brother-in-law, Craig Robinson, is Oregon State’s head coach.

The crowd inside Towson’s arena erupted in cheers as Obama and first lady Michelle Obama entered and shook fans’ hands as they made their way to a pair of courtside seats.

Daughters Malia and Sasha sat in the first row of the bleachers. Also attending were Obama’s mother-in-law, Marian Robinson, and Education Secretary Arne Duncan, a former professional basketball player and friend of Obama’s from Chicago.

“Groundhog Day” actor Bill Murray, was in attendance, too, and he greeted Obama before play got under way.

BWD’s right, Linda – for the sake of your sanity, just avoid reading comments on any of these sites, they’re infested by pure scum. They’ll leave you feeling the whole planet is populated by racist, hate-filled trash, when – happily – that’s not quite the case. If it was, our guy wouldn’t be living in the White House😉

I agree! Case in point, Yahoo comments are horrible! Meanest people on the planet no matter how benign the article. Granted, Yahoo articles suck too, hyper-right-wing slant … did you see their front page today that “Conservatives are outraged because Obama didn’t mention God enough in his Thanksgiving internet address” craziness!!! Good grief!!!

So true! I get so pissed when I make the mistake of being curious. Yahoo used to be my home page, but no more. People can be such aholes online! Of course in person as well, however most people wouldn’t say this stuff to just anyone or the world would be in a constant state of war. Oh wait, it already is.😉

AOK, tell those stupid Conservatives, that it’s not about how many times you mention God’s name, it’s about how many times you do God’s will. You know like feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the sick, those who are in prison, looking after the widow and orphans, helping the poor and needy. You can mention God’s name a 1000 times, but if your only concern is to look after the rich. You might as well kept your mouth closed. If I mention God’s name 1000 times, but I hate someone because of the color of their skin. Those Conservatives are full of alot of crap. The day before Thanksgiving President Obama and his family was at a food bank helping to hand out food to the needy. What was those Conservatives doing? As you said AOK, good grief.

President Barack Obama has pitched in to help small businesses get into the holiday shopping season.

The president took his daughters, Malia and Sasha, along on a shopping run to a bookstore a few blocks from the White House.

He says he made the visit because it’s “small business Saturday” and he wanted to support a small business.

The retail industry is encouraging shoppers to patronize mom-and-pop businesses on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. It’s a counterpoint to Black Friday and the sales and special deals offered by department stores and other large retailers.

The Obamas walked out with a selection of books including “The Invention of Hugo Cabret,” “Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Cabin Fever” and “Descent into Chaos: The U.S. and the Disaster in Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Central Asia.”

We did our small bsns. shopping yesterday in great shops in fun neighborhood shopping districts in and around Indy, where we were visiting for t-giving. We stumbled on the best toy store in the world, and the gals working there were so helpful and nice. I asked for suggestions for my 3 grandkids, ages 2, 8 and 10, and after asking about likes and dislikes, the clerk would make great suggestions, what’s new, what’s great, what’s popular etc. And all gifts were beautifully gift wrapped, free of charge, and everyone was happy in there, no brawls for 2 buck waffle irons etc. My daughter and I went to our fave little clothing boutique there, and the owner knew her by name and remembered me from past visits and helped us find some great gifts. She knew our tastes. I always try to shop at small mom and pop stores. My parents were small bsns. owners, and I know how they tried to provide top notch service and how important community loyalty is. And it’s a way of fighting back against the wal-martization which has put so many of these small stores out of business—-in every community across this country.

They said black Friday brought in 27 billion so far. Broke all records. Then, today’s small business day, that is supposed to break records and cyber Monday.
Also, peoples savings have gone down to 3% from 6%.
if people start spending…

Outstanding Dotster! I never do the Black Friday thing; the earlier they start the commercials, the less money I spend. Did venture out to the grocery store today as there was an outstanding sale on roast so I got what I needed for my fam Christmas party. Will hit my favorite independent bookstore for gifts for the grandkids and I’m done.

I was supporting my local Indie bookstore and showed the clerk Chip’s post of PBO, Malia and Sasha at Kramer’s. She was impressed and commented how wonderful it is to have a President and his wife so obviously in love. Also pleased about support for independent booksellers.

It would have been too much for AP to actually mention the name of the store? I cannot visualize any bookstore “a few blocks from the White House.” Businesses tend to get a bump after the first family visits them.

Ummm, if you read about NATO firing missiles and killing 25 Pakistani sOldiers, 2 were Pakistani intel and it was on the border.
Me thinks, they were assisting the Taliban or al Qaeda.
Their is a lot more to the story, just does not make sense, why was there 2 intel officers there and why were they shot at?
Something happened that both sides don’t want us to know about.
Pakistan is quickly becoming a hostile nation. They are protecting the Taliban and al Qaeda. Just saying!

Going back and forth today…between working in the yard (still), peeking in here, and watching my Buckeyes on TV….did I say how much OSU fans don’t like Michigan:) It’s THE game! OSU is a hot mess this year. Not going to a bowl game, but…still want to beat MI!

The past year in the political career of Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley (D) will be remembered as one in which he spread his wings far from Annapolis. The start of the coming year is shaping up as a reckoning back in the state capital.

O’Malley is gearing up to push his most ambitious — and politically perilous — 90-day legislative agenda since taking office in 2007. His success or failure in a state dominated by fellow Democrats could well determine whether talk continues about a future beyond Maryland.

When lawmakers return in January, O’Malley has pledged to spearhead the fight to make Maryland the seventh state to legalize same-sex marriage, following closely in the wake of New York.

He plans to resurrect two leading environmental priorities that the General Assembly rebuffed last session: jump-starting the state’s wind-power industry and sharply limiting the use of septic systems in new residential developments. He is likely to champion increases in both the state’s gas tax and so-called flush tax, casting those moves as an effort to rebuild Maryland’s transportation and sanitation infrastructure and to create jobs.

In an interview, O’Malley said that with the state facing another $1 billion shortfall in its operating budget, he may propose other tax increases as well as unpopular spending cuts to close the gap.

Nice. Glad to know your doing great, Sue. I am blessed cannot complain. Well this is the time our beloved FLOTUS suggested during an interview with Oprah, we have some pie and eat the dressings😀 so eat, drink and be merry🙂.

Love your hugs HZ. I am 99.9% and that may be be as good as it’s going to get…..I am grateful.

I love these photos of the First family enjoying a family outing, at the book store with the girls, at Uncle Craig’s basketball game….yet I wish they could have some private moments, especially when the girls are involved. I can’t imagine living life in that ‘fish bowl.’

Great news, Sue. Oh, I am so elated hearing of your progress. Please keep relaxing and resting. We need you here with us. I love you,Sue, and I with continue to lift you up in my quiet times and prayer.

Yes, I am loving the photos that Chipsticks has for our enjoyment. We are so blessed to have such a loving, smart, kind, and fun First Family. It is a joy to be alive during this Presidency. Great win in the mix for Brother-in-law Craig. Mother Robinson has to be so proud to also be living this beautiful life. What a joy!!!

Hi Sue,
Glad to hear you are well. I hadn’t seen a comment from you in a while and was wondering how you are doing. Nice to hear you had a good Thanksgiving. Take care of yourself and move at whatever speed you need to be well rested and in good health.🙂

Remember when Kucinich told the President on every news channel not to cut SS? Well, this kid is all talk, mostly full of shit—

11/19/2011 6:06 PM

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Unlike most members of Congress from Ohio, Dennis Kucinich and a few other lawmakers are not paying Social Security and other employment taxes on their campaign aides’ wages, a Plain Dealer examination shows.
It’s because Kucinich, of Cleveland, and fellow U.S. Reps. Marcy Kaptur of Toledo, Jean Schmidt of suburban Cincinnati and Bill Johnson of Marietta regard their workers as independent contractors rather than actual employees.

The practice is highly controversial in the private sector but is seldom scrutinized in politics. Even the paid interns and mailroom workers in Kucinich’s 2008 presidential campaign were considered independent contractors for tax purposes.

“He cracked down on companies that were previously denying sick pay, vacation and health insurance, and Social Security and Medicare tax payments through abuse of the employee classification of independent contractor.” http://nyti.ms/fOGLcj

“Portraying regular workers as contractors allows companies to circumvent minimum wage, overtime and antidiscrimination laws. Workers classified as contractors do not receive unemployment insurance if laid off or workers’ compensation if injured, and they rarely receive the health insurance or other fringe benefits regular employees do.”

“‘This denies many workers their basic rights and protections and means less revenues to the Treasury and a competitive advantage for employers who misclassify,’ said Jared Bernstein, who as executive director of Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr.’s Middle Class Task Force has helped orchestrate the administration’s campaign against misclassification. ‘The last thing you want is to give a competitive advantage to employers who are breaking the rules.'”

Love the close-up.photo of the two of them at the game. PBO looks so excited and Michel looks like she is totally in the game. Glad that they are managing to have some fun after the incredibly busy weeks each has had.

JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq – Samarra, a city located in Northern Iraq, is a little more than 100 km north of Baghdad. Home to the Al Askari “Golden” Mosque, the Spiral Minaret and other historical landmarks, it’s considered one of the most holy cities in Iraq.

Additionally located within the city is the Samarra Operations Command, Samarra Joint Coordination Center, elements of the Iraqi police, Iraqi federal police and the Mayor of Samarra, Mahmood Khalaf Ahmed.

Soldiers from Battery B, 3rd Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team (Advise and Assist) “Black Jack”, 1st Cavalry Division, transitioned Contingency Operating Site Kaufman as part of Operation New Dawn, in Samarra, Oct. 21. This was the 6th base transitioned by Black Jack since their arrival in May 2011. Kauffman, a site that housed U.S. soldiers for more than seven years, is located within the SJCC. Various units stationed there provided a vast array of strategic and operational support to the city.

Bill Murray is a Democrat, right? Sorry … I really like it when celebrities use their spotlight and star-power to support Democrats (as well as worthwhile causes). Many people don’t like it but I like it emensely!!!! (Hopefully Matt Damon will eat huge amounts of crow and get back on board!) Hate that he lost his bearings and went negative … VERY proud of Freeman, Clooney, Belafonte and others who wear their liberal politcal stripes like a badge of honor and speak out when others don’t or won’t. (And thanks to Chips for posting links to many of those clips here!!)

The girls went. They are sitting with some friends. I guess having after sharing dad with the public at the bookstore, they are just over the attention. I can imagine it would get pretty irritating sometimes. I’m glad though that they share with us because then we get such pretty pictures.

I love to see all the photos too, but I feel sorry for the First Family when every single move them make, every step, every facial expression and personal moment is caught on camera. It would be surreal.

Got an email from my super conservative person. Sez conservative radio is talking about 20 bills the house sent the Senate that Dems. won’t pass. I think they are just a conglomoration of crap that keeps the real work of passing a serious Job’s Bill from happening.

I can’t even swallow the typical disclaimer, “they are really nice people, but…..” The character traits that are reflected in their points of view are not admirable, and IMO not what I consider ‘nice.’

Washington Post: President Barack Obama … brought his family Towson University near Baltimore for an afternoon game that pitted the Towson Tigers against the Oregon State Beavers.

Obama’s brother-in-law, Craig Robinson, is Oregon State’s head coach.

The crowd inside Towson’s arena erupted in cheers as Obama and first lady Michelle Obama entered and shook fans’ hands as they made their way to a pair of courtside seats.

Daughters Malia and Sasha sat in the first row of the bleachers. Also attending were Obama’s mother-in-law, Marian Robinson, and Education Secretary Arne Duncan, a former professional basketball player and friend of Obama’s from Chicago.

“Groundhog Day” actor Bill Murray, was in attendance, too, and he greeted Obama before play got under way.

In the third pic from the bottom, I wonder what PBO said to First Lady Michelle to get her all tickled and giggly. Ahh the winds of seasoned love. So infectious. Hey where’s my hubby. Let me snuggle too!😆

Hey Everyone, just want to share with you to not buy this book titled “KBL Kill Bin Laden” by John Weisman if you don’t want to be totally pissed off about how POTUS is portrayed during the lead up to his authorization of the kill. It’s written in historical fiction format and POTUS and his administration are all portrayed as lightweights and totally political, only worrying about 2012 rather than getting bin Laden. In fact, POTUS in the book is pissed that the military is pressing him to make a decision on going to Pakistan. It really pisses me off as it is featured in the book stores and totally distorts one of the many difficult but successful accomplishments of POTUS. It also includes a chapter where a CIA operative in Pakistan is almost killed by a Guantanimo prisoner released by Eric Holder. I’m telling you Rush Limbaugh could not have made up more crap. Unfortunately, it’s otherwise well written with lots of military intrigue and suspense. It’s such total bullshit. I bought it to potentially give it my boyfriend for Christmas. He sure as hell isn’t getting it. I probably will throw it in the trash.

Even though the NY Times gives a thumbs up on the book, I should have known it would be bad when I read on the jacket the glowing review by the Washington Times.

Might even be a good idea to return that book! Might mean more than tossing it. Just a thought.

People write these fictional tales, and – Jovie is right – it’s up to us and Attack Watch to respond. For instance, with the quote from the Defense Department or NSA Director that President Obama was so courageous in making the decision, he won even more respect from the national security team.

I read the book enroute from a trip. The people who fared well were Panetta, HRC and Armed/Intel services. Bush was not even mentioned. I threw it in the trash upon disembalking. It was a hit job by someone in MIC.
I have a feeling the reason why Bush said it was difficult to say no to the MIC is because they can subvert the system to bring the desired result or outcome they want, Beware the Ides of march with GOP/Big business/ intelligence and MIC.

I would just wait for the real books to come out after POTUS’s term. A lot of stuff is still classified, and the real deciders can’t talk very freely yet because of the fact they still work in Government, and there may be still some ongoing operations.

I’m so glad the whole family can go to a basketball game TOGETHER, and the crowd cheered…..they need those times. A normal family on a normal family outing. Come to think of it…..this is the first time we’ve seen this kind of activity with a White House family……..well, ever in my long life time. How refreshing! How very American!!!

Hello TOD!!
Family has “finally” all gone home so there is peace and quite in the Donna Dem household again.🙂

I assume that Coach Robinson intentionally schedules these games here in the area every year so that the whole family is here for Thanksgiving. I just love the way the Obama Family has made the WH a home for all of their family.

I thought the same thing!
Ps- I love the picture of him standing in front of his daughters and niece. Look at Sasha and Lia’s faces. They are so into whatever he’s saying. Looks like I did when i was a kid and my uncle was laying down the law.

Hi Lisa and Anniebella, I thought the same thing. Oh, young ladies, Daddy is speaking now and he looks like he is laying down the law. Sasha look like she wants to confessss and get the talking over. Then Malia look like she want to just run up and hug him and say that she will not do that again. I understand, Daddy. It is so cute.HZ

You could never come off as silly in your response, Annie. It’s natural. That’s what they pull from us. Seeing them together gives us the warm ‘n fuzzies. Just like those Gerber baby commercials or any other cutsie commercial. They just make you feel good and they pull on your heart strings. Like this:

I was watching the high school in our neighborhood just win the 6A state football championship in Illinois—-hooray! But—-I was really mad at this: during the game they aired a high school sports promotion ad which said ‘kids who participate in high school sports tend to go further in life’, and they went through this whole long list of presidents, showing their team pics, naming their high schools, and I’m waiting for the last president featured to be President Obama, who helped his team win a state basketball championship his sr. year in Hawaii. But nope—–no Obama. Couldn’t believe it. I tried to google the ad to make sure I was right on the omission and to see what sports assoc. was responsible, but I can’t find it. This kind of stuff is infuriating. There’s no excuse for it.

Dotster3, I understand your frustration. It is not fair what they did. If you want to make your point, which I think is fair for the students who might have seen the ad, why not contact the station that ran the game and the ad. They should know why this happen. If they say that they did not know President Obama’s high school record, then I would give them the facts. Then express your disappointment and why this type of practice shoud be fair and square. My reasons for these actions are: if they were trying to get a point over to the students about” how sport participating schools/students who participate in sports tend to go further in life”, and they then showed Presidents of the USA., how in the world could they miss President Barack Obama, the sitting President?

A call, or a written statement as a concerned person in the neighborhood surely should have the right to make your concerns known to the school for the omission. They would give me a reason. Why? If they should Presidents, why not include POB, especially being that is his hometown and a very important state for him, and the students know that. You really can’t fool students. They are probably asking the same question that you are asking. Why? Why not? Give it a try for the high school’s sake. Just a suggestion. HZ

Sooner or later presumptive GOP presidential nominee frontrunner Mitt Romney will have to publicly answer which Romney will show up on the issue of race and diversity if he indeed gets the GOP nomination and snatches the White House in 2012. Will it be the Romney that claimed in an interview on Meet the Press in 2007 that he got teary eyed when he heard that his Mormon church’s ruling elders publicly declared that blacks would no longer be barred from the Mormon priesthood. Romney didn’t directly say it but he strongly hinted that the moment stirred strong emotions in him because he never went along with his church’s decade’s old racial bar.

“I was anxious to see a change in my church.”My faith has always told me that and I had no question that African Americans and blacks generally would have every right and every benefit in the hereafter that anyone else had and that God is no respecter of persons.”

Now contrast that with the Romney that former GOP congressman J.C. Watts, a staunch black conservative, recently ripped for having a virtually lily white campaign staff. Romney was unmoved by the knock and flatly said that he hires the best persons that he can find. He underscored that with the rhetorical emphasis “What’s the charge? Is there something wrong with that?”

Nothing, nothing that is if Romney’s political ambitions didn’t extend any further than seeking to win a GOP seat in a GOP friendly congressional district in the GOP’s hard core voter geographic vote base in the Heartland and the Deep South. The presidency is a far different matter. The teary eyed Romney that chaffs at racial bigotry can’t trump the Romney that glibly condones it in picking his campaign staff.

Good evening TOD! Just returned from dinner @ Mom’s house. My mom is the type that has framed family pic on all of the walls and every horizontal surface; grouped according to family relationship. Looking at the picutures, I found that I had new relatives — front and center in the “cousins” section was a framed fam pic (the color Leibowitz photo) of my “cousins” Barack, Michelle, and the girls!!! LOL I asked “Where was the picture of Bo?” to which she replied, “I’ll have to write and ask for one.” Love my Mom!

Thanks Chips and BJ. She’s fired up and phone banking @ 80 years old! Last time around, she phone banked and acted as my advance person for a few Vets events. Seems like every time she went to a BO event, she ended up sitting on the front row behind him and always got a hug and kiss!

Let me tell you, most seniors I know pray, love, protect and advocate for the President and first family like he is their favorite son/nephew/grandson. Last time around, several were NOT going to vote for him because they were afraid that harm would come to him — one gent in his nineties said to me “he didn’t want his blood on his hands.” Thank God for Michele; I broke out that speech of her’s where she talked about BO being the safest black man in America (due to SS). That garnered a lot of votes in my little corner of the world. the Gent in his 90’s already has his Veterans for Obama sign in his window ( was in his yard however, the code enforcer said according to our ordinances, it was too early to have it out — the gent took it off the lawn, put it in his window and dared the CE to write a ticket…lol)

Alycee, thanks for sharing this with us. I am not eighty, but I am close enough to punch a nose(kidding, no physical force) but I can land a verbal punch if anyone speaks ill of my President. Plain and simple. Tell you mother, thank you so much for all that she does for PBO.

My mother suddenly has photos of them up as well. She isn’t a surface coverer, generally, but has photos of the first family in the living room and in the kitchen. My cousin asked about them. I think she should watch him before they disappear! My aunt was carrying a first family bag. I bought the “Fabulous Michelle” one a couple of weeks ago. No way I’d be lugging groceries in it!

Jobless rate falls in 36 states
By Agence France-Presse
Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Unemployment fell in 36 states last month, the US Labor Department said Tuesday, with 2012 election battleground states South Carolina, Michigan and Minnesota seeing significant drops in joblessness. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that Michigan and Minnesota — key targets for President Barack Obama’s re-election campaign — each saw a 0.5 percentage point drop in unemployment, while South Carolina saw a 0.4 percentage point drop.

~snip~

In total 36 states and the District of Columbia recorded unemployment rate decreases, five states posted rate increases, and nine states were unchanged. The jobless rate varied wildly across the country, with crisis-pummeled Nevada posting a jobless rate of 13.4 percent and rural North Dakota seeing unemployment of just 3.5 percent.

Hey, TODville friends. I’ve been away with my family the last few days. Missed you all and the excellent coverage here of our First Family that really makes me feel a part of something really exceptional and very special. I hope everyone had a really wonderful Thanksgiving and you are all enjoying the remainder of the weekend.

I’m feeling very, very sad and disturbed at the moment. On my short commute train ride home, a man jumped in front of our train and committed suicide. It was a really horrible experience and it will take me some time to shake it. And I want to say to you all, let’s please all hold our family and friends close and let them know how much we love and care for them. This is the important thing in life.

Oh, thanks so much for your very sweet message, bjw2. I appreciate it. It’s a really terrible feeling. I can’t get the sound of it out of my head and I can’t imagine the despair it takes to bring one to that kind of end.

{{{Meta}}} Prayers for the man and for all of the passengers, train personnel, and EMS. How horrible to be in such despair that one chooses to take their own life. While you are right about holding family and friends close & sharing lve and support, sometimes, even that is not enough…

Oh Meta, what a truly horrible experience, I can’t even begin to imagine how traumatic it must have been. I hope the poor guy rests in peace, and everyone who witnessed it or was on that train will be okay. Look after yourself.

Oh meta how horrible. I am so sorry for you and this poor souls family (if he had any). That had to have been just awful. I will pray for you to have peace with what this troubled man did. I pray he is at peace.😦

p.s. I hug family and friends all the time. They call my little family the huggers. I live by the motto that you can never say “I Love You” enough.

Thank you all so much from the bottom of my heart. I’ve been home for about an hour and I suddenly just burst into tears. It was a very, very terrible thing and just felt so violent. I so appreciate the compassion and understanding of everyone here. It means a lot to me. Chips, I’m sorry I’m so OT but I want you to know I’m so grateful for this place.

Someone close to my family committed suicide… I’m the one who found him. He hanged himself…he was 22. I needed therapy to overcome the grief and shock…. and it’s still haunt to this days…3 years later….time does heal but it’s very very difficult.

I know it’s not the same circumstances but we all feel helpless and so sad when someone take his/her life. Poor soul.

Meta, my heart truly goes out to you. You’re so right to remind people to reach out to those we love and remember to appreciate them each day. The depth of despair it would take to jump in front of a train is just unimaginable. May God be with him and with all of those who were there at that terrible moment. Take care. We love you.

very sorry to hear that tragic event. I recently had to deal with a related situation and the sense of despair, second-guessing, and sadness of those left behind is very hard to handle. those close wish they had seen the signals and intervened early but often one is denied that chance.

Meta I’m so sorry to hear of this terrible experience! Please know that you are in our thoughts now and throughout the next several weeks as you come to grips with this unfortunate event. I hope the man finds peace and his loved ones find some degree of healing as time passes.

That’s just savage. You poor dear. My heart goes out to you. Remember to breathe, and get counseling if you start having nightmares or become unable to function. Traumatic events have a way of sneaking up on you. We’re here for you.

You’re absolutely right Meta – It’s been a wonderful weekend for just that as we kick off into the holiday season. I’ve never had anything like that happen to me directly like you have. May you be able to put it behind you soon.

What an awful thing to witness, Meta! I’m sorry you had to experience the shock of this man’s desperation. We can but guess at the confusion, despair and anger that must have brought him to this point. I know several people who have attempted to take their lives, and one dear beloved friend who succeeded. When these actions touch us personally we cannot help but reproach ourselves for some failed action or inattentive ear, but when it is done it is in the hands of a higher power and all we can do is hold more closely those who are left behind. Your advice is absolutely the best advice—feel love for others, listen to them, try to understand their pain, and encourage their joy and hopefulness–and hold them close. Thank you for reminding us to care for one another.

Chips, thanks a lot for the clip – you NEVER disappoint us with your committment!!!! You probably have no idea how such a prompt and generous gesture can make a very huge difference to someone looking for good news to get through the dumps!!!

I love the generosity of the crowd to the First Family. People’s spontaneous reaction reassures me that among those we consider strangers are a significant number of kind and respectful people who will ensure that the days ahead are increasingly better for ALL of us

Democratic leaders raising money to be spent on the most competitive House races in next year’s elections are doing something remarkable: outraising their Republican counterparts, despite a historic drubbing a year ago that left Democrats in the minority.

House Democrats have raised $52.1 million to the Republicans’ $48.7 million. The difference is small, but it’s significant given that no minority party has been able to get such an edge in fundraising since the 1994 election cycle.

…. What makes the Democratic surge in fundraising so unusual is that political money tends to flow to those in power…. …. Democrats are riding a wave of support from small donors in particular. The DCCC has raised $22.6 million from donors giving less than $200 at a time through October. That’s more than double the $10 million they raised during the same period in 2005, the last time they were in the minority.

“When Republicans consistently protect billionaires over Medicare, it’s hard to convince small donors to give a check,” said Rep. Steve Israel (N.Y.), the DCCC chairman. “The Republican’s grass-roots donors have abandoned them and our grass-roots donors are more energized than they ever have been.”

You’re very welcome🙂 That was bizarre though, because I just wanted to put the link here…not the bulk of the story! I don’t even remember highlighting any part of the story to bring over here like it is! Poltergeists! Regardless…very good news🙂

It probably was me that reminded you of that site…though the ladies have been slow to write new posts…I think I heard that one of them moved, or had a death in the family (husband?)….I tried to check a couple weeks ago, but they hadn’t written a new post yet…I’ll check them out now…love, love, love their no nonsense, sense of humor…thanks for thinking of that…and letting others know how great these women are!

Teabaggers don’t know how to fundraise. Tea Party is largely fizzled out, and they don’t have the contacts otherwise. They can try and tap into the usual donor base in their area, but if they’ve been voting in the far right teabagger caucus, they could run into some trouble explaining their votes to more moderate or old school Republicans.

Also I’ve read where what the freshmen are fundraising they’re not paying dues to the RNC and Congressional campaign committees.

Meta–so sorry. We don’t know what troubles the poor guy was fighting. May he rest in peace. One thing to consider–even though it was so hard to experience what you did–your love reached out to him at that moment. We don’t know, but perhaps his soul received that message . God bless you Dear.

David Frum writes a comprehensive, revealing essay that identifies the core problems of the modern Republican Party — which has been overrun by talk radio showmen, radical ideas and the loss of the Grand Old Party’s tether to reality. Frum lays it out so brilliantly, it’s today’s must-read.

With a big hat tip to Alternet for dropping this in my in-box today, here’s a clip:

America desperately needs a responsible and compassionate alternative to the Obama administration’s path of bigger government at higher cost. And yet: This past summer, the GOP nearly forced America to the verge of default just to score a point in a budget debate. In the throes of the worst economic crisis since the Depression, Republican politicians demand massive budget cuts and shrug off the concerns of the unemployed. In the face of evidence of dwindling upward mobility and long-stagnating middle-class wages, my party’s economic ideas sometimes seem to have shrunk to just one: more tax cuts for the very highest earners. When I entered Republican politics, during an earlier period of malaise, in the late seventies and early eighties, the movement got most of the big questions—crime, inflation, the Cold War—right. This time, the party is getting the big questions disastrously wrong.

It was not so long ago that Texas governor Bush denounced attempts to cut the earned-income tax credit as “balancing the budget on the backs of the poor.” By 2011, Republican commentators were noisily complaining that the poorer half of society are “lucky duckies” because the EITC offsets their federal tax obligations—or because the recession had left them with such meager incomes that they had no tax to pay in the first place. In 2000, candidate Bush routinely invoked “churches, synagogues, and mosques.” By 2010, prominent Republicans were denouncing the construction of a mosque in lower Manhattan as an outrageous insult. In 2003, President Bush and a Republican majority in Congress enacted a new ­prescription-drug program in Medicare.

By 2011, all but four Republicans in the House and five in the Senate were voting to withdraw the Medicare guarantee from everybody under age 55. Today, the Fed’s pushing down interest rates in hopes of igniting economic growth is close to treason, according to Governor Rick Perry, coyly seconded by TheWall Street Journal. In 2000, the same policy qualified Alan Greenspan as the “greatest central banker in the history of the world,” according to Perry’s mentor, Senator Phil Gramm. Today, health reform that combines regulation of private insurance, individual mandates, and subsidies for those who need them is considered unconstitutional and an open invitation to “death panels.” A dozen years ago, a very similar reform was the Senate Republican alternative to Hillarycare. Today, stimulative fiscal policy that includes tax cuts for almost every American is “socialism.” In 2001, stimulative fiscal policy that included tax cuts for rather fewer Americans was an economic­-recovery program.

Sorry, but I can’t give people like David Frum any sort of respect. Here’s a guy who has proven over decades to promote the most evil and historically-proven FAIL policies there are, yet still gets treated as if he’s one of the reasonable ones. He’s not. He’s playing people to try to stay relevant and protect his “brand.” I mean, even his first sentence quoted is a complete lie and he continues later with more easily proven lies about how his “movement” from the 1980s was correct?!? Crime…please! Even on a personal level, the dude’s a complete jerk based on experience some people I know personally have had with him.

I think it’s a part of being Liberal that can be frustrating at times. We are in essence optimists who will try to see the good in people and in situations, and give people the benefit of the doubt. Personally, I’ve started to turn this off for some people, and for any Neocon in particular, which unfortunately almost means every Repub now. What they’ve done over decades now, and are continuing to do, is so horrific to me that I feel their evils should never be forgotten and these people should never be forgiven. Just my own take as a citizen, and would probably have to learn how to temper this if I ever became a politician though!

I look at the First Family and I see such love and respect!! I see a genuine bond that children, husbands and wives truly need to flourish as a family. I cherish their availability to us and hope they are enjoying this time of year when we can take a moment to celebrate all our gifts.

Why do they hate America so much, that they would attempt to resurrect that lying, venal, racist harpy. The BS is already too deep as it is, what with the Republican clowns masquerading as presidential candidates.

Michelle Bachmann is nuts……wonder if someone dropped her on her head when she was an infant?????

Hey Alice……belated happy holidays. I hope you and yours had a lovely Thanksgiving. What a beautiful day we had on Thursday,

I here your stove went out……yikes…….that would have been reason for my head to explode.
I hear you got resourceful with the grill……that was some quick thinking girl! I am interested to know if you think it enhanced your dishes? Corn pudding is a Thanksgiving staple at our family table. I am wondering if I should be using the grill instead of the oven. During the summer months we almost always do our corn on the cob on the grill which even thinking about it making me hungry :opps:

Yah. It’s making for an interesting weekend. It’s a charcoal grill but it’s OK. It’s actually kind of fun! Keep the grill at a certain temp cook in iron or foil indirect heat. It’s working pretty well. I still have the stove top, just not the oven. We’re having Christmas dinner here so the hubby and I gotta figure out something by then.

Isn’t it nice to see Bachmann display such genuine Christian humility. It just warms the heart. Let’s hope Iowa is her last stop on the campaign trail. Come on, Iowa, do your part to end this travesty.

How could that “travesty,” as you put it, have even begun? What is in people’s minds to vote these people in? I know in the House, you only represent your district, but give the rest of us a break!

The bottom line for all of us is to encourage each local party leader to put the best candidates in, since we never know where they are going to end up … and I hope where all of them end up is hawking books in some far-flung little no-name shop.

Meta I send you a virtual hug my friend.I pray this man finds solace now if that’s possible.I pray for you who witnessed this and for his family who might have suffered with him and for him and for them as they will have to deal with his death and absence.

You have got to see this! If it has already been posted, then good. If not, watch and enjoy Lawrence O’Donnell as he tears into the cowardly media, the lying candidates, Romney and Perry. He bases the whole thing on the 9th commandment.

Thanks Chipsticks for this diary. Some days, I do not know what I would do without it. I’m still trying to figure out what I enjoy most, the diary itself or the comments. The comments make my day! Thanks everyone for that!

“Turns out the Georgia business owner who won’t hire till Obama is gone, is also a Birther, a Truther, an Oathkeeper, a Militia member, and he has ties to terror.

The Georgia business owner, who gained instant notoriety after posting signs on his company’s trucks saying he won’t hire anyone until President Barack Obama leaves office, is part of a militia group connected to two separate terror plots. Bill Looman, owner of US Cranes LLC, has been under investigation by federal authorities in the week leading up the publicity related to his company’s controversial hiring policy.

Looman and his fellow North Georgia Militia members maintained a number of websites and Facebook pages with enough explicit content to keep a team of terrorism research analysts busy for a while. Looman has not been arrested and his supporters insist that he hasn’t committed any crimes and hasn’t been involved in any wrongdoing.

Looman has also been connected to the arrest of four Georgia men in early November. The men face charges of plotting to attack cities including Atlanta with deadly ricin, and further terrorist activity including a plot to bomb federal buildings and murder law enforcement officials and others. The plot was allegedly based on a novel written by Mike Vanderboegh. an anti-government activist, founder of the Three Percenters, and former Fox News analyst. Looman’s online messages connect him with Vanderboegh as well. His North Georgia Militia Facebook page prominently displayed the “ III% “ Three Percenter logo.

Baltimore Liberal Examiner reporter Bill Schmafeldt broke the story about Looman’s connections in a series of in-depth pieces published Nov 21-23. Schmadfeldt’s work was based on website content including anti-government manifestos allegedly written by Looman himself, at BillLooman.com, BRLOA.com, a website that represents the Beaver Run Land Owners Association, which is headed by Looman and appears to be engaged in an ongoing dispute with him, and Facebook accounts for Looman and the North Georgia Militia. The North Georgia Militia Facebook group had 65 members. Most of the online material that Looman had posted was taken down during the week and the Facebook accounts were closed. Screen captures of the materials have been posted elsewhere.

Looman has been interviewed by a local Atlanta television news reporter and he claims that his meeting with federal authorities was friendly and that they were only called in because of a misunderstanding.”

IMO, Kristof could have kept that article to himself. I found it pretty weak in that his “disappointment” was that PBO estimated wrongly the extent of the economic downfall. Well, as I recall, no one had it correct……no economists could ever gain a consensus on the severity, so how could PBO have predicted it would not turn out as it has? This argument is tired, and so is the claim that PBO has been failing to communicate. Kristoff is in media- he should know the limits placed on the Obama administration when it comes to getting out its message. I really wish some people would not try to be “helpful” in their so-called defense of the President. I believe when the time comes, that PBO will be able to defend his damn self, where others have previously and continuously been unable and/or unwilling to do so. But, thanks Me4obama for the article 😀

No need for that feeling. It’s just because you (as well as me) have a strong protectiveness when it comes to the President and his family and we just don’t want anyone unjustly attacking him. He’s our guy. We don’t play when it comes to the Obamas period.

I really, really really love the Towsonguy!!!! his video is so much fun, so respecful and so very uplifting!!! thanks a lot for sharing this gentleman who has a kind heart and is very respectful to the office of POTUS and genuinely seems to love the current office holder POTUS. His appreciation of the First Family’s presence is a thing of beauty and I so glad he does not want to “taint” his day with other issue

Yeah, GCL, I really love the fact that the young man made the choice not to spoil his good spirits by going on to another topic that might put him in a bad mood. Smart guy! Wasn’t it ‘cute’ how he took such pride in the fact that the Prez AND FAMILY stayed for the WHOLE GAME, that it wasn’t a photo-op? He’s so right that the final score doesn’t matter when compared to having the PRESIDENT in the house for the entire game.😉 😆

Thanks so much for posting that link. Since I was involved in Thanksgiving events and traveling, I hadn’t had a chance to see it. I had read about it here, but not listened to it. WOW! If only LOD would be that “in your face” and honest EVERY night. Thankful for baby steps, however.

Meta, Thiis was a devastating thing that happened. Sorrow for the young man and also concern for you experiencing such a horrid event. Sharing and telling the story is good and I suspect all your friends here are ready to listen and to give comfort.

Donna, hope you’ll be good as new soon. Take good care. I also wanted to mention, regarding this video, that guy in blue sitting next to FLOTUS, seems to have a major attitude towards the Obamas. I don’t like people like him around our First Family.

Donna, please take time to rest and try to do something, if you are able to relax yourself. I will surely keep you in my prayers, quiet times, and I hope and pray that with our collective thoughts here with your TOD family you will feel better very soon.

Please rest and try to relax. I send you Hugs. ((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((( HUGS))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))HZ

Israel warned on Saturday that it would cut the supply of water and electricity to the Gaza Strip if rival Palestinian movements Fatahand Hamas form a unity government….On Friday, Israeli ministers decided to maintain a freeze on the transfer of tens of millions of dollars in tax monies to the Palestinian Authority hours after Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas held top-level talks with Hamas chief Khaled Meshaal at which they announced a new era of “partnership.”

~snip~

The transfer of funds, which make up a large percentage of the authority’s monthly budget, was frozen on November 1 as a punitive measure after the Palestinians won full membership of the UN cultural organisation.

In January, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had already threatened to cut off water and power to Gaza, which has been controlled by Hamas since the Islamist group chased Fatah from the territory in 2008. Israel, which unilaterally withdrew from Gaza and dismantled Jewish settlements in 2008, continues to supply the territory with water and 70 percent of its electrical power, the rest being supplied by neighbouring Egypt or local power plants.

Together, between 300 and 400 donors have given Americans Elect $20 million, according to Byrd, with no contribution exceeding $5 million. The major donations are technically low-interest loans, the bulk of which the organization says it intends to pay back as it widens its contribution base. Eventually it hopes to limit individual donations to no more than $10,000.

~snip~

That’s right, in an L.A. Times follow-up piece, they fill us in on the Board of Advisors: This morning’s story mentions notable board members former FBI and CIA chief William H. Webster and Republican strategist Mark McKinnon, a cofounder of No Labels, a group that seeks to transcend partisanship in politics. Among other noteworthy advisors:

~snip~

At least 11 of the 50 board members work in the finance sector—including hedge fund manager John H. Burbank III and W. David Lawson, a managing director at JP Morgan Chase. The entire roster can be found here.

Meta, I am so sorry you had that experience tonight. May you find peace and comfort in our words.
I also pray for peace for that person in this tragic experience. HUGS to you and best wishes for
a good restful night.

I want to add my ((((((((((hugs))))))))))) for Meta. I can’t even imagine how horrid that was. Just know you are not alone. My prayers are with you and all those who witness this. Also with the family of this person. Holidays are always with hardest with those who have problems. We must remember all of them.

Meta, I echo the sentiments of everyone else here. What you’ve experienced is unimaginably horrible. I’m sending you and that young man’s family love and prayers for peace. Please take GG’s advice to heart — don’t hesistate to seek out spiritual or clinical counseling (or both if trusted resources are available to you. The effects of this kind of shock can effect you in ways you might not expect. Be well.

So sorry Meta that you had to go through this horrible experience. I am praying that you will find a way to give this to God and use it as a time to pray for those in despair whenever you think of it, kind of like turning lemon into lemonade. I will be praying for you.

The above video of the Obamas proves for the doubters that they are definitely in LOVE…..PBO is a very, very, very affectionate man. Just look at him touch her so tenderly….awww….aren’t they the sweetest? He loves Michelle…she’s his rock….she has his heart…his mind and soul. She’s such a good example of a wife and woman…she stands besidee her man in everything. Love them!

I was reading everyones comments regarding our Meta and what a horrific thing she experienced. (((hugs and prayers to you meta)))) and those of that young man and his family. My day started oddly, I saw a very old woman who could hardly make it across the street. I asked her if I could help take her to where she was going. I had never seen her in my neighborhood before. She said she was ok and in no hurry. When I got home, I called my mother and she said a very young woman who said she was homeless and just got out of jail, wanted a quiet place to rest in the lobby of the senior apartments where my mom lives. I have been searching for homeless shelters that take single woman in hopes of giving them to her tomorrow. There are still too many young, old, and middle aged that are in need of shelter, food, and hope. I feel very blessed to have a job, a place to sleep, and food to eat. I can’t see how the rich who have so much feel that they can’t give more to help fellow americans.

Well, didn’t we all need to read something like what you posted on a Thanksgiving weekend? Thank you for helping to keep our eyes open, to the other human beings who inhabit our approximate space in this world.

Tell your mother next time you chat that I think you were brought up right, JoJothecat!

Rikyrah, thanks for posting that article written by David Frum (R). It is an excellent analysis
of the current Republican party. It is a great read and I do recomend it. His slights of PBO are
almost irrelevant, as he desperately and correctly chastises his party and the current presidential
hopefuls for the ignoramuses they have become.

Thank you Chips for the videos and pictures of today’s events. Much appreciated.

So glad the First Family had four relaxing days together and having fun. The President and First Lady will be heading for busy weeks ahead, and I know these days were beneficial. They needed some time to rest from their overseas tour!

Just wanted to say, Meta, that I pray that you will find peace after today’s events. I feel so bad for the young man and for all of you who witnessed the event. It will pass in time, I am sure, but holding our loved ones close is the message that I will remember from your experience. Though painful, thank you for sharing.

As for the TOD family, as I read the comments to Meta, I was struck by the warmth and compassion that fairly jumped off the screen. This family has sprung up because we are all motivated to uphold a man and a family who we sense are decent, compassionate, loving and real. Never in my 65 years have I seen one man inspire so much good will.

This TOD family is an inspiring phenomenon. So glad to have found you.

I was reading and then resting my eyes and nursing my pain. Then Meta’s sharing just tore at the very seams of my heart. I was trying to find the appropriate space to entry my comment, Meta, and this is where I enter. I pray that your heart will be peaceful tonight. I am so grateful that you shared with your TOD Family here.

This is your quiet and sweet gentle receiving haven to enter. So we have received your entrance, now take whatever measure of comfort that you need from each of us to get through this all. Will you please remember that. We are here for you. I am here for you, Meta.

There are situations that we do not understand why they happen to us and to our brothers and sisters of our beautiful Tapestry of this world, but we know soon or later that there is a reason. So my prayer Meta is:

“Lord Almighty, take Meta into your comforting arms and rest your hands upon this horrific tragedy that came into the space of Meta’s life tonight. Only you know the total situation of this gentleman who chose to remove himself from this earth and now Meta has to remain in her space and carry on. Where there is sorrow, give Meta peace, where there is pain, give Meta relief, where there is dispair, return Meta to joy, but please Almighty, do not allow Meta to remain in this space without your comforting peace. Give each of us here the wisdom to share when Meta comes into this space for a healing touch.

We humbly ask you to help Meta to focus on gentle comforting thoughts that are as light as a feather. May you keep Meta within the reach of your Powerful care and please do not let Meta fall to a discomforting despair. We will lift Meta up while you give each of us strength, so please Dear Almighty allow us to hold Meta in our thoughts, prayers, meditations, and quiet times to help Meeta get through this.

Send comfort from Meta’s heart to the gentleman’s family, if there be one, but really Lord Almighty, we, we, we, are his family. So guide our hearts with love, strength, and peace because we truly need your comforting hands upon Meta and our family here. We Ask This In Your Precious Caring Love.Amen” (((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((( Comfort Meta)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))) Peace, Peace.HZ

HZ, to you and to each and every one who reached out to me here, I can’t thank you enough for all your exceptional kindness and support. Your thoughts and prayers have been a very real comfort and have touched me deeply in so many ways. I am humbled beyond words. Thank you very, very much. I will never forget it.

Meta. I realize I am late to the conversation but I just want to send you a hug and let you know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. I am so very sorry for your experience and hope that you find some comfort from all of us here on TOD who love you. My thoughts and prayers are also with the poor guy who’s suffering drove him to this tragic end. My greatest wish is that he has found peace at last. As someone who in the past has ‘been there’ my heart breaks for him and for you Meta. God bless you and take good care of yourself.

Meta, I can’t sing like Michael Jackson, but this song of his came to my mind when I was thinking of you. You are not alone, we are here with you. Though you’re far away, we are here to stay, you are always in our hearts. And I will add this from myself, you are in our prayers too. Bless you.

Meta, I am late to this conversation as well, but I also send out my thoughts and prayers to you also. Such a tragedy. May God grant that young man the peace that he obviously never found in this life. Blessings to you.

I’ll just like to add my thoughts and prayers for you Meta at this dreadful experience and also especially for the poor guy whose only escape was through this tragic action. Hope he rests in peace and may God comfort his family and friends.

President Obama came into office with expectations that Superman couldn’t have met. Many on the left believed what the right feared: that Obama was an old-fashioned liberal. But the president’s cautious centrism soured the left without reassuring the right.

Like many, I have disappointments with Obama. He badly underestimated the length of this economic crisis, and for a man with a spectacular gift at public speaking, he has been surprisingly inept at communicating.

But as we approach an election year, it is important to acknowledge the larger context: Obama has done better than many critics on the left or the right give him credit for

You have the gift that keeps us seeing things in a different light.
This space creates the gentle, and sweet spirits of souls touching and reaching with all of our might.
We will return to you dear Chipsticks, joyful hearts that will continue to spread your light.

Your Creative Space here helps us steady our minds
With a pride of glowing lamps of knowledge and hope that binds.
May the world look in and see souls that are kind.

Your Fitting Gift sets you apart as a very special human treasure bearing our thoughts
Centered on a very special person, our joy, and our hope,our President,
And you both keep telling us we can be.

When people talk of what President Obama have and have not done I wish they also would include what this President have had to deal with. These radical crazy ass Tea-Republicans, who only goal have been was to bring him down. Not work with him to make this economy stronger, and put Americans back to work. But the Republicans have done all they can to make things worse. So when people are talking about all President Obama have and haven’t done, how they have disappointments in him, I feel they need to talk about all the B.S. those radical crazy ass Tea-Republicans have caused.

It took 2.5 years for all to figure out we were in a deeper economic hole then told. I want to know why the bush team was not on the level with the Obama administration. I personally think the economy was shedding jobs because of bush/cheney policies and back door deals for their friends and family members. The real investigation into the economy needs to start going back as far as 2004.

Michele, I agree and what Kristoff fails to mention is that from Day 1, the Republicans have filibustered and tried to block every initiative that the President has tried to get the economy moving. The stimulus in 2009 had to be made smaller and include a huge chunk of tax credits/cuts to get a few Republicans in the Senate (Snowe, Collins ??/ I think) and traitor Joe to vote for it. And on and on. Remember that Sen Al Franken was seated late in 2009, Ted Kennedy died, then Vice-President Biden managed to get Arlen Specter to join the Democrats that allowed some of the legislation to get through.
These “journalists” and pseudo TV pundits have short or no memories , are dishonest , incompetent or both.
I am sick and tired of these faint praise , yes he did but not enough, not far enough, I have disappointments with PBO but at least bla bla bla “journalists”.
Do your research, tell the facts and the whole story and the public would have some respect for you.
Now, if polls were taken as to journalistic credibility would anyone score above 30%?

Maybe this is something we should take on. Try to get a polling organization to poll the media houses and particular journalists and get the results out on-line . That might might make some of them sit up and realise just how little respect they garner and change some minds in the public.

Desertflower, the president did exactly what he said he was going to do if people were listening. Many people on the left projected their ideas on to him, but that isn’t what he said. PBO knew he had to get stuff done in order to help the greatest number of people, so he did what any politician in government would do, he gave a little and got a lot. NO president in history, not even the left’s liberal icons, accomplished anything without compromise. And the list of accomplishments in the last three years is formidable–from health care, to saving the auto industry to saving us from a 30’s style depression to repealing DADT to changing the image of the USA throughout the world. In today’s current environment, with a Republican party determined to destroy the democratic process that we know, an old-fashioned liberal would accomplish zero. That PBO did so much is a testimony to his brilliance and flexibility.

I personally think that the president has been brilliant in communicating especially in the last year despite the fact that he has determined Republican-owned media opposition, few Democrats who publicly support him and liberals in his own party carping at him at every turn. These last four months have been a virtuoso performance as he turned the whole deficit/debt issue around so that people are talking about “progressive” issues like creating jobs and taxing millionaires.

No Democratic president from FDR to Kennedy to Johnson to Carter to Clinton has accomplished more with such pitiful support from Congress. PBO has been nothing short of a miracle. There are sour grape leftists who would turn on anyone who didn’t immediately meet their lofty demands and the right was never going to be “reassured.” They hated him on sight and have done everything they can to bring him down.

Thank you Jackie. You expressed my feelings beautifully. I don’t buy the meme that PBO did not communicate effectively. I believe that knew , instinctively here, but he also is not a “quick fix” approach to the economy, h wants a long term solution to long term problem.

“He badly underestimated the length of this economic crisis, and for a man with a spectacular gift at public speaking, he has been surprisingly inept at communicating.”

Neither of these are true. EVERYONE (Kristoff included) badly underestimated the length of this economic crisis. Even during the mid 00’s while the economy was showing ominous signs of failure, the MSM was busy covering up and protecting GWB. When the President took office we were losing jobs at an astounding rate. The Republicans decided that they were not going to lift a finger to get this economy back on track and would obstruct as much as possible while the left and right media covered for them.

And as for the poor communication meme, there have been concerted efforts in the media across the spectrum to blur/distort, undermine, or completely blackout the President’s message. When you have WH Press corps tweeting about Republicans during the President’s trip to Australia, you can’t turn around and pretend that the President has a “communication” problem. When you have OWS police arrests taking up 95% of news coverage while the President is going around talking about his Jobs Bill and the failings of the GOP in congress you can’t say the President is doing a poor job of getting his message across. When the media insists on dwelling on inconsequential minutiae like the President “flubbing his daughter’s age” while his bigger and more serious message on the debt ceiling deal gets side-tracked, you can’t pretend that it’s the President’s ineptness at play here.

And Hopefruit2, I concur. I would say this, Kristoff says,”and for a man with a spectacular gift at public speaking, he has been surprisingly inept at communicating.” Well, I would like to say that Mr. Kristoff needs to look within and see that he himself has been inept in his listening skills.HZ

Hi Chips Sunday morning. Burning question: why don’t “we” as in we the Chipsters …have a LIKE button?
I like so many comments here hard to reply to just one. Sometimes I leave a comment other times the comment just makes me feel warm and happy. and I want to LIKE them.

// One of my commitments is to occasionally remind people in the blogosphere, who are also overwhelmingly white progressives, that the bigger half of the progressive movement is non-white and that this non-white bigger half has distinctly different opinions about the president, the party, and the state of American politics. This is why the blogosphere periodically convinces itself that the president is losing his base of support only to discover that polling data doesn’t back it up.

It’s probably true that the black community is protective of the first black president in a way that your average white progressive is not. But it’s much deeper than that. Blacks are accustomed to glacial progress. They’re familiar with cutting shitty deals that move the ball a few inches down the field. They’ve never been under the misimpression that the cards aren’t stacked against them. They are no strangers to high unemployment, job insecurity, or grinding undeserved poverty. If there is one defining difference between how the black and brown progressives have reacted to the president and how white progressives have reacted, it has been that black and brown progressives had much more realistic expectations. I think a lot of blacks look at the white people protesting income disparity and think to themselves, “when did you notice?” //

With Secret Service, Maryland state troopers and Baltimore County Police patrolling the building, all fans were required to enter the Towson Center by 15 minutes before tipoff. At about 10 minutes before the opening tip, the Obama family entered the arena to a thunderous applause. The president, the first lady and their two daughters sat courtside for Saturday’s game and stayed for every minute of the action.

I know hopefruit2, and I was hoping so badly that Tweety saw that game last night. Oh, Lawd have mercy, was I hoping that Tweety would just throw all of his books at his tv last night. Lawd, please forgive me on this gracious day. And I just completed my devotional time. Pray for me, my TOD family.HZ